How to Arrange Your Wall Hangings on a Bedroom Wall With a Window in the Middle of the Wall

A vertical picture fits well in a narrow wall space.

Bedroom walls with a window in the middle create a design challenge when arranging wall hangings. The shape of the wall, as well as the available wall space, can help narrow your arrangement options. In addition, consider a bedroom's existing furnishings and decorating style. For example, complement a modern, minimalist style with only a few wall hangings.

Visual Weight

Consider the visual weight of wall hangings when arranging them with a window in the middle. For example, a symmetrical picture arrangement is created by hanging identical frames with similar prints on each side of a window at mirrored wall locations. When the arrangement is symmetrical, the visual weight is equal and aesthetically pleasing on both sides of a window. An asymmetrical arrangement consists of wall hangings with different shapes, sizes or textures. Balancing the visual weight of an asymmetrical wall arrangement is a visual illusion. For example, hang a long, vertical canvas painting on one side of the window. Create visual balance by hanging a woven basket with two smaller framed pictures on the other side. The length of the arrangement should be about the same as the long, vertical painting and hung at the same height.

Vertical or Horizontal

Vertical and horizontal wall arrangements provide two simple options to decorate a bedroom wall with a window in the middle. A vertical arrangement tends to make a wall appear taller, while a horizontal arrangement can visually increase the width of a short wall. Select the size of a framed picture or other wall hanging to complement the available wall space and scale of a bedroom. For example, a large bedroom with vaulted ceilings would look out of proportion with numerous, small, framed photographs. A better option would be a vertical or horizontal arrangement of large pieces of framed art that are in scale with the room and available wall space. Spacing for wall art arrangements can range from about two-to-six inches. In addition, avoid wall hangings that touch or hang extremely close to the adjacent wall, curtains or window edge. Leave an ample "wall frame" around any wall hanging to provide an aesthetically pleasing display.

Gallery

Create a gallery arrangement on one side of the window. Provide equal visual weight on the other side with an accent table topped with a tall potted fern and a large wall mirror hanging to one side of the fern. An easy way to arrange a wall gallery before putting a nail into the wall is to do a mock wall layout on the floor with the backs of the pictures facing up. Next, lay large sheets of wax paper over the arrangement on the floor. Outline each picture with a marker, making a dot on each picture outline to designate the position of its picture hanger. Tape the wax paper to the wall and hammer a nail on each picture hanger dot through the wall. Remove the wax paper from the wall and you're ready to hang your gallery.

Other Ideas

Other ideas for arranging your bedroom wall hangings on a wall with a window in the middle can come from inspirational photos discovered while browsing through decorating magazines and books. You can tweak the inspirational pictures to accommodate your personal preference, existing decor and bedroom size. Walking through furnished model homes and participating in scheduled home tours can also provide wall arrangement ideas to inspire you. When you've made your choices, have a friend hold pictures against a wall before hanging to allow you to view each one from a distance, providing a better overall picture of the wall from afar.

About the Author

Mary Cockrill's education and certifications in interior design and home staging have allowed her to author numerous home-related articles. Cockrill has been a top design consultant for a renowned home store and is the owner of Starwood Home & Gifts, LLC, an interior design, decorating and home staging business. She holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a comprehensive major in office administration.